Knee-pkotectoe



P. VAN FLEET.

KNEE PROTECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 21,1919.

Farmed 29, 1921;;

INVENTOR, .Pww/ Mm flee? I BY., M 5

ATTORNEY warren srares PATENT PAUL VAN FLEET, OF DETROIT, FCEICHIGAN.

KNEE-PROTECTOR.

Application filed. June 21,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PAUL VAN FLEET, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, county of Wayne, State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful limprovement in Knee-Protectors and declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,

which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to knee protectors for cement workers, floor scrubbers and others whose employment requires resting the weight upon the knee, and the object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive plate of a shape conforming to that of the leg at the knee joint and having a yieldable pad enabling the device to be worn with comfort. A further object 1s to provide a knee protector of the character stated provided with a surface of a character required by the nature of the work. For instance, with cement workers the metal plate may have a corrugated face whereby it is prevented from slipping and, for the cleaning of polished floor surfaces for instance, the metal plate is centrally apertured and the cushion member (usually of rubber) allowed to project therethrough to contact the floor surface preventing injury thereto. These objects and the several novel features of the invention are hereinafter more fully described and claimed and the preferred form of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a knee protector embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross section thereof taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig.3 is a front elevation of an alternative form of the knee protector.

Fig. 4 is a cross section thereof taken on line 44 of Fig. 3.

The device consists of a capped metal plate 1 which may be of aluminum or any other metal desired adaptable for the purpose that is rectangular in general outline having outwardly projecting legs 2 at each point. These legs are provided with an aperture 3 in which is secured a strap 4 of any approved form as shown at the upper right hand corner of Fig. 1 provided with a terminal loop 5 and on the opposite upper left hand corner, the strap is provided with Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 29, rear.

1919. Serial No. 305,890.

a button 6 adapted to be engaged by the loop. The two strap ends being positioned about the leg of the user and one or both straps preferably should be adjustable in length. The plate 1 is curved in cross section as will be understood from Fig. 3, the general shape conforming to the shape of the leg at the knee joint and the central part of the plate indicated at 7 is raised as shown in Fig. 2 and the face thereof roughened or corrugated to prevent slipping of the protector on the surface being operated upon. In order that the device may be worn with comfort a soft rubber insert 8 is secured in the interior of the plate 1, the insert being thicker at the central part extending into the recess formed by the projecting portion 7 providing a cushion for the knee of the user. This rubber insert is secured to the plate by means of a plurality of rivets 9.

\Vhen the work to be performed is of a character having a finely finished surface as a polished floor the roughened corrugated metal center is dispensed with and a plate provided with a central aperture 10 as indicated in Fig. 3. The rubber insert 11 1n this case extends through the said aperture providing a projecting corrugated part 12 practically duplicating the part 7 of Fig. 1. This rubber part 12 contacts the surface and is of a character to prevent injury to the surface being operated upon. In all other respects the device of Figs. 3 and 4 is identi cal with that of Fig. 1 and is to be used in the same manner being strapped about the knee of the user. In either case the straps are preferably of an elastic nature permitting the user to stand upright without discomfort so that the device may be continuously worn. From the foregoing description it is evident that the device is simple and inexpensive in form and is admirably adapted for the purpose.

Having thus briefly described my invention, What I claim is- 1. A knee protector consisting of a single metal plate of substantially rectangular outline and cup-shaped in cross section adapted to fit over the knee of the user, each corner having an aperture formed therein for the attachment of a strap or the like and further being provided with a projecting central portion, the surface of which is roughened or corrugated as and for the purpose described.

2. A knee protector consisting of a metal plate of cupped form in cross section having general rectangular shape and provided with a central aperture, a rubber cushion member secured to the interior of the plate having a central portion projecting through the said aperture, the face of Which is roughened or corrugated substantially as described.

3. ,A knee protector consisting of a metal plate of cupped form in cross section conforming to the shape of the bended knee, the plate having a central aperture, and a cushion member on the interior of the plate having a central portion projection through the said aperture for contacting the surface to be operated on. 1 1

In testimony whereof I sign this specification.

- PAUL VAN FLEET. 

